Shifting from Traditional to Modern
Florida Design | 2017
In the living room, a bled of soft fabrics, textures and unexpected color lend interest of an arrangement with plush sofa, a tiered-glass cocktail table and settees, all by interior Michael Wolk, and a mustard-colored daybed from Knoll Studio.
Recreated With Clean Lines, Warm Organic Textures, And Bold Pops Of Color In Artwork And Furnishings, This Boca Raton Home Was Designed To Impress
With more than 42 years in the industry, interior designer Michael Wolk has seen his share of styles and design trends come and go. So, when the owners of this 4,000 square-foot Mediterranean-style home in Boca Raton, Florida, approached him about a total change of style and structure, he saw the opportunity to bring the home forward 30 years. “We needed to remove all the pillars, stucco finish plaster, barrel tiles and arches that were everywhere,” Wolk says. “The walls would be kept purposely clean for art and sculpture – and only the warm, organic textures of stone and wood would be used for dramatic detail.” Soon, the home was increased to 12,000 square feet, and it was literally out with the old and in with the thoroughly modern.
The wine room lends modern shine to the home with chrome accents in a wine cooler custom designed by Wolk and counter stools from Suite NY. In the dining area, Bocci’s chandelier of glass balls are a glowing constellation reflected in the top of a steel-framed dining table. On a wall, an art piece of interlocking multi-hued circles from the owner’s collection adds a pop of bold color.
In the new entry, the eye sweeps upward towards a vortex-like, 23-foot-high ceiling. An Ingo Maurer-designed chandelier of gold-leafed paper sails floats ethereally above a stairway created with steel and glass railings. A wall of windows, previously a series of arched openings, now allows brilliant light to shine through.
Nearby in the living room, a pewter-tones sofa adorned with red and black accent pillows from Holly Hunt, a pair of sling chairs, and a fuchsia-hued egg chairs designed by Fritz Hansen, form a conversation grouping that lends intimacy to the large open space. On a second-story balcony, a gallery wall showcases the owners’ artwork.
A wine tasting room was a must have for the homeowners. Wolk custom designed a wine cooler that accommodates over 500 bottles and divides the dining room from the tasting area. The wine room flows into the dining area, where taupe leather armchairs from Holly Hunt surround a custom, cold-rolled steel dining table.
In the master bedroom, Wolk removed and hint of Mediterranean detail. He designed built-in, lacquered bedside cabinetry that flanks the bed with a seating ledge and wall quilted in Edelman leather. A Chevron hide rug from Kyle Bunting.
Dressed in luxurious bedding from Sharron Lewis, the Wolk-designed platform bed in the master bedroom is illuminated by a pair of sconces from Y Lighting. In the evening, the owners can retire to the comfort of a sitting area created with soft blue custom chairs and an ottoman lit by a floor lamp from Demorais International.
The master bath is a luxurious retreat created with sleek, custom vanities designed by Wolk. A rain shower system and a circular Roman tub provide a tranquil soak, while a stepping stone floor set in Terazzo, with the appearance of petrified wood, and a window view of lush greenery adds nature’s elements to the mix.
By Florida Design Magazine | Photography by Dan Forer